I will not miss from 15 feet (maybe once, but not the other shots
)
But Eric makes a very good point. Any decision to shoot must not only be made in consideration of the threat before you....... but also the probable/possible outcome of a police response and investigation, possible arrest and charge with excessive use of force/manslaughter/murder depending on many factors (legal and political). Add in lawful carry, issues of trespass, who started it, any duty to retreat, any Castle Doctrine, to protect life or only property, any past history of disputes with the shootee, disparity of size or force used between perp and defender, what you've said in the past on line or in public, race, and a few dozen other possible issues. Of course, this is easy to say, but if you have to decide in 2 seconds, the thought process is limited.
On the basic question of reasonable use of lethal force, the physical distance between you and the perp will always be looked at. When you argue you were in
immediate reasonable fear of life or great bodily harm to self or others, the further the perp is from you, the
immediate part of the argument gets weaker.
A well practiced marksman (or novice) may need no sights at all at arms length where the
immediate argument is strongest. Thus, as your need for good sights and eyesight diminishes, your case for self defense increases.
If you shoot from 50 feet, you better have a pretty good reason why (and
he started shooting first is the best reason). (and this is about where rifles really come into their own)
